Coupler



Jufly W, 1934 F. s. BARKS ET AL 7 COUPLER Filed May 29, 1933 .a. H65.Hes.-

Patented July 10, 1934 UNITED STATES Q'JOUFLER Frank S. Barks, St.Louis, and Alexander P. Fox,

University City, Mo.,

assignoro to Lincoln Engineering Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporationof Missouri Application May 29, i933, Serial No. 673,338

Claims.

This invention relates to couplers, and with re-' gard to certain morespecific features, to couplers for attaching lubricant lines which areunder pressure to lubricant-receiving fittings and the like.

Among the several objects of the invention may .be noted the provisionof a coupler which is adapted to be more easily applied to fittings thanthe bayonet type of couplers heretofore used, and requiring no twistingor tilting operation in making an application thereof; the provision ofa coupler of the class described which automatically grips and coupleswhen pressure is turned on to deliver grease through the coupler to thefitting; the provision of a coupler of this class which automaticallyreleases when said pressure is turned off; the provision of apparatus ofthe class described having freely movable gripping portions which do notsuffer fatigue and subsequent breakage; the provision of apparatusofthis class which is positively operable and relatively simple andcompact in form. Other objects will be in part obvious and in partpointed out'hereinafter. 1

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements'of parts which willbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which are illustrated several of variouspossible embodiments of the invention,

h Fig. 1 is a longitudial section showing one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a lowerend elevation of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4 ofFig. 1; I

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing an al-- ternative attachmentfor a different type of fitting;

I Fig. 6 is a modification;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing another jaw modification;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing another attachment; and;

to Fig. 9 is a side elevation showing the device attached to a valve.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

65 Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there fragmentary sectionshowing a jaw (ill. 285-l.7li)

is shown at numeral 1 a fitting having a cross pin 3 which ordinarilyserves for making an attachment of a bayonet type of coupler.Heretofore, bayonet couplers have been used to cooperate with a pin suchas 3 to form a connection but this requires, first, longitudinalmovement of the coupler and then a manual twist in order to effect anapplication, and then turning on of pressure for delivering to thefitting fluid such as grease. The

present invention does not make use of the pin W 3, nor does it requirethe turning or twisting movement above specified nor tilting beforeturning on the pressure.

It is to be understood that the coupler described herein is placed uponthe end of a rigid pipe 9 which communuicates with a flexible portion 5by way of a stop valve 7. A suitable compressor feeds the couplerthrough the line 5, stop valve 7 and pipe 9. The valve 7 is adaptedto beheld in the hand as a handle while manipulating the coupling, and at thesame time the opcrating handle 8 of the valve 7 may be manipulated.Hence one hand is ordinarily sufficient to eifect attachment and flowcontrol, as will bev shown. Numeral 11 designates the body of thecoupler to which the inlet pipe 9 is attached; To the body 11 is screweda chuck ring 13 having a hollow conic portion 15 at the outer endthereof and formed as at 1'7 to provide an inner chamher. The'body 11and ring 13 form a chuck per Within the inner chamber 17 is a polygonalspring 19 which reacts radially against the interior of the chamber andlies within aligned grooves 23 of a plurality (four in this instance)vof jaws 25 (see also Fig. 3).

In the aggregate, the jaws 25 are formed conically at their lower endsas shown at numeral 29 to cooperate with the hollow conical portion 15of the chuck 11, 13. By this means, the jaws are rendered separable whenthey are forced into the chamber 17. They approach one another if forcedfrom the chamber 17 through the said conical portion 15.

In order to move the jaws 25 out through said opening 15, they areengaged in a counterbore 24 therein by a plunger cup 31 which slidablyfits within acounterbore 33 of said body 11. The counterbore 33 isconnected with the source of 1 pressure in the line 9 by means of anopening 35. A manually operable bleeder valve 34 perunits of bleedingoif pressure from clogged bearings with which the coupler maycommunicate.

The cup 31 includes a central stem which is hollow as shown at 39. Thestem 37 accommodates a relatively resilient washer 45 which alsocontacts with the wall 33. The washer 45 is backed by a pressure ring41. A second washer 32 within the hollow interior of the cup, 31 servesto seal against the top of the fitting 1. A shoul-- der 43 on the cup31limits its upward movement by engaging the lower edge of the body 11,thus limiting the amount of inward movement of the jaws 25. The outwardmovement of the jaws is limited by their conical lower ends 29contacting the hollow conic portion 15 of the chuck ring 13. A coilspring 2 compressed slightly between the end of bore 33 and the pressurering 41 maintains the several jaw sections in firm relationship. This isnot always necessary, and to illustrate the point, such a spring ,hasbeen omitted from Fig. 5.

The interior .portions of the jaws 25 are pe-- ripherally serrated as at4'7 in order, by a high local pressure, to cut through and positivelysqueeze from the outer surfaces of the fitting 1 any lubricant whichmight cause slippage. Longitudinal channels 49 serve to permit trappedlubricant to escape when the coupler is applied to a fitting 50 as toinsure a positive contact between the top of the fitting 1 and the faceof the sealing washing 32, thus eliminating the possibility of thefitting being forced from the coupler by pressure being exerted on thetrapped lubricant between the fitting and washer before said pressureactuates the jaws to grip the fitting.

This may also be accomplished by effecting clearance at points 26 (Fig.4) between jaws, provided the fitting is strong enough to withstandcrushing. If it is not strong enough, and it is desired to use saidclearance, the inward movement of the jaws-may be limited by thecounterbore 24 thereof engaging the lower end of cup 31 therein. Thelimiting action should not be so much as to prevent the serrations 47from biting.

The operation-of the device is as follows, referring to Fig. 1:

The jaws 25, without pressure behind the cup 31, are normally somewhatseparated. A slight spacing will be found between adjacent jaws underthese conditions. The cup 31 is positioned upwardly, and likewise, thepacking 45 and pressure ring '41. The upper limiting position occurswhen the shoulderv 43 strikes the lower edge of the body 11. It will,however, be understood that the parts have not necessarily been raisedto this position.

Application is made to a fitting such as 1 by merely axially moving thecoupler with respect to said fitting, thereby positioning the jaws 25around the cylindric end of the fitting. This action contacts the washer32 with the upper surface of the fitting, thereby forcing back the cup31 so that the shoulder 43 thereof may contact with the lower edgeof thebody 11. The operator cannot force the coupler on to the fitting 1 'farenough to effect interference between the jaws 25 and the pin 3.

Next, pressure is admitted through the line 9, as by operating the valve7. The introduction of the pressure as above described, accomplishesposition shown in Fig. 1. It will be understood that the design isarranged so that the spaces between the jaws 25 before pressure isadmitted are substantially eliminated after said pressure has beenadmitted. In this connection the closing in of the spaces between thejaws limits their inward travel towards the fitting. When the jaws areclosed tight, that is, their respective sides abutting so that no spaceexists between them, there is provided a clearance between the lower endof cup 31 and the recess of the jaws into which said end fits in orderto insure an effective grip on the fitting 1. By limiting the inwardmovement of the jaws biting in of the jaws into the fitting 1 isprevented. After the jaws are clamped on the fitting, the internalpressure sealed by washer 452.150 presses the washer 32 to a seal.

Any tendency for lubricant or grease to pocket between the jaws, gasket.32 and the fitting 1 is prevented by the longitudinal grooves 49 in thejaws which permit 'escape of lubricant before the same is compressed andbefore the same can function to effect sliding of the jaws from thefitting under reaction engendered. Furthermore, the serrations 47 bitethrough any lubricant film to effect a grip. If space between jaws issubstituted for the grooves 49, then inward movement may be limited asabove described by contact between counterbore 24 and the lower end ofcup 31, the serrations 47 still being permitted to bite through thefilm.

As long as the pressure is maintained, the lubricant will flow and thegrip will be effective as above described, the gasket 32 providing aseal against the top of the fitting and the gasket 45 preventing leakageto the threads between members 11 and 13.

As soon as the pressure is released, as by turning off the valve '7 inthe line 9, the excess pressure in the chambers 33, and cup 31 leaks offthrough the fitting 1, thus reducing the pressure. There being no morepressure within the chambers, the chuck 11, 13 may be forced downcausing the jaws to lose their hold.

It will be noted from Fig. 1 that the element 13 of the chuck may beremoved from the body portion 11 thereof. The threads between these twomembers may be loose and of the type adapted to be turned by hand. Theymay be thus made because they are protected from leakage by the washers45 and 32. This permits of the easy removal and the easy application ofthe attachment shown in Fig.5.

To make the attachment of the Fig. 5 device,

the member 13 is removed merely by unscrewing it, and carries with itthe jaws 25 which are held in place by the spring 19.' The member 14 ofthe Fig. 5 attachment maybe screwed to the body 11, a bushing 51pressing against the washer 32'to effect a seal. The member 14 isattached by a nipple 53 to a chuck in which like numerals designate likeparts to the above. The chuck member 13 is attached to a body 12 havingtherein jaws 25 held by a spring 19 and engaged by a shoulderedwasher'55 which is set into the plunger cup 31. The open end of thewasher 55 fits into the counter bore of plunger 31 and the shoulderedend fits into the recess in the jaws, the purpose of the shoulder beingtwofold, that is, to prevent the sealing washer 32 from being pushedout, due to pressure, and likewise to limit the inward travel of thefitting 5'7 so that its barrel portion cannot enter far enough to stickon the shoulder of the jaws. The cup 31 also has a nipple 37 having anopening 39 1 form of fitting, the wall is made thicker.

therethrough and around the nipple 37 is a washer backed by a ring 41. Awasher 32 associated with the cup 31 serves to seal against a fitting57.

The fitting 57 is of a class difiering from the fitting 1 in that itdoes not have a cylindrical exterior surface but a barrel-like exteriorsurface in which have been preformed certain grooves 59. Inasmuch as thegrooves 59 serve to introduce the localized pressure necessary forsqueezing out lubricant film from the contacting surfaces and forcarrying the lubricant longitudinally, there is no necessity forserrating the insides of the jaws 25, nor for grooving them.

The operation of the device of Fig. -5 when attached to the body 11 ofFig. l is analogous to that above described.

In Fig. 8 is shown another attachment in which like numerals designatelike parts. In this construction the member 14 is again adapted to bethreaded to the member 11 of Fig. 1 after the member 13 with the jaws 25have been remove lfhe device of Fig. 8 shows a nozzle 59 attached to thenipple 53. This nozzle has an outlet 61 which is adapted to be insertedinto lubricant receiving openings of certain fittings 1 provided a cap63 is removed. When the cap 63 is in place, it seals at 65 against thenozzle 61. This cap 63 has threaded thereto a second lower cap 67 havinga shoulder 69 upon which rests a disc 71 from which projects aneedle-like nozzle 73. A hollow stem 75 is surrounded by a washer '77which seals according to pressure. The purpose or" the attachment 63(with associated parts) is to permit of feeding lubricant to'the nipplesof ordinarypush-type lubricant fittings which are now on the market.

The operation of the Fig. 8 device, after the member 1% has beenproperly attached, is to press and insert either the nozzle 61 or thenozzle 73 into the respective openings to which they are adapted, thevalve 7 being subsequently opened. There is no gripping action on thefitting of this form of the coupling, the same being described to showthe utility of the loose threads between members ll, 13.

In Fig. 6 are shown jaws slightly modified but applied to the same typeof fitting as shown in Fig. i. In this iorm oi the invention, the jawsare given a slightly conical interior form 64, the cone enlargingupwardly. Thus when the jaws are forced against the fitting l, the thinwalls 66 of said fitting are compressed inwardly. It will understoodthat the deformation is so small that these walls 66 resume theiroriginal cylindric shape when the jaws 25 are released. The upperportion 68 of the fitting is not likewise compressed, because of thedisc-like area 76 which does not deform as much as the portion 66therebelow. This accounts for the holding action.

In Fig. '7 is shown a form analogous to that shown in Fig. 6 but appliedto a form of fitting in which the pin 3 has been eliminated. In this Thewalls 81 are made thick and shaped to correspond at 63 to the cones 6-lof the jaws 25. In this form, it is not intended that the walls shalldeform, the same being made heavy enough and/or of material strongenough to prevent it. Other modified jaw forms may be used, the abovebeing exemplary and preferred.

It will be recognized that in the forms of the inventions shown in Figs.1 and 5, that endwise or axial slipping is prevented by the frictionbetween surfaces, one of which is serrated. While we have found that thecooperation between such surfaces, is adequate under high pressure, theforms of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7 may be desirable undercertain conditions.

In view of the above,3it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructionswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. I

We claim:

1. A coupler for fittings comprising a plurality of separate jawsadapted to surround a fitting, a chuck comprising a body and a freelyseparable member thereon formed about and cooperating with the jaws, thecooperating surfaces between the member and the jaws being such as toforce the jaws together upon endwise movement of the chuck, said chuckhaving a communicating means with a line under pressure which feeds thecoupler, a hollow plunger having a cup-like opening facing the fitting,sealing means between the plunger and the chuck and sealing means insaid opening of the plunger and contacting the fitting, said plungerbeing engageable by the jaws whereby endwise movement of the chuck underinternal pressure causes clamping of the jaws on the fitting when theysurround the same, said sealing means preventing any possibility ofleakage through the attachment between the separable parts of the chuck,whereby different chucks having different jaw forms may readily besubstituted, and means whereby the jaws are resiliently held to the partof the chuck removed upon separation, said last-named means maintainingthe operating relationship of the jaws within said part removed.

2. A coupler for fittings comprising a plurality of separate jawsadapted to surround the fittings, a hollow chuck formed about the jaws,a body communicating with a line under pressure and having a quickdetachable connection with said chuck, means for clamping the jaws to afitting upon increase in internal pressure within said body, and meansfor maintaining said jaws in position in the chuck when the chuck isremoved, whereby a quick reassembly may be accomplished.

3. A coupler for fittings comprising a plurality of separate jawsadapted to surround the fittings, a hollow chuck formed about the jaws,a body communicating with a line under pressure having a quickdetachable connection with said chuck, means for clamping the jaws to afitting upon increase in internal pressure within said body, and meansfor maintaining said jaws in position in the chuck when the chuck isremoved, whereby a quick reassembly may be accomplished, said last-namedmeans'comprising a spring resiliently pressing against the interior ofthe chuck and interlocked with the jaws.

a. A coupler for fittings comprising a plurality of separate jawsadapted to surround the fittings, a hollow chuck formed about the jaws,a body communicating with a line under pressure having a quickdetachable connection with said chuck, means for clamping the jaws to afitting upon increase in internal pressure within said body, and meansfor maintaining said jaws in position in the chuck when the chuck isremoved, whereby a quick reassembly may be accomplishedsaid last-namedmeans comprising a non-circular spring resiliently pressed against theinterior of the chuck at its outermost portions and interlocking withgrooves in the jaws at more inner portions.

5. In a coupler for fittings having a plurality of jaws adapted tosurround the fitting, a hollow chuck formed about the jaws so as toforce the jaws together upon endwise movement of the chuck, the jaws ofthe chuck having serrations

